The Awesome Dean EVO XM

June 29, 2007 by Jo Minor 


If you are a wannabe rocker just starting out and wondering where you can get a great deal on a hot axe, you owe it to yourself to check out the Dean EVO XM. At a list price of only $192.50, you’re not going to find one much cheaper. Remember, you can usually find electric guitars at discount prices, too.

Dean, a company known for making an incredible array of hot radical guitars used by a lot of well-known rockers, has that knack for creating good sounding guitars that don’t cost an arm and a leg. This particular guitar, the awesome Dean EVO XM, is one of them, making it the ultimate choice for someone just breaking in to playing. It combines vintage design in perfect combination with modern technology, resulting in good sustain and the tone you want.

For a little history, Dean Guitars started with Dean Zelinsky, who started producing them in 1978. He was only 17 at the time, but he had some innovative ideas and was gutsy in trying them out. One of the things that made his guitars unique was the large, uniquely shaped forked head stock. Many guitarist took one look and figured it would be neck heavy or at least would not sound good. The truth is, however, Dean had planned the headstock to enhance the sound of the guitar as well as make it look radically different.

A man named Oscar Medeiros owned the company by the late 1980’s. He was instrumental in the neck-through innovation and brought the company to some prominence. In the late 90’s, the business was bought out by Armadillo Enterprises, who located Dean Zelinsky and invited him to again be part of the business. This was a wise move on their part!

At this time, many Dean guitars are made in Asian factories, but they are still made with high standards and low prices. They are well made guitars, built to last, to give you the best value anywhere. The body mass and neck size are specially designed for sustain and easy of playing.

The EVO XM is not as radical in design as many of their guitars, but it still puts out an incredible sound. You’re going to be hard pressed to find as good a guitar for the price anywhere.

Advantages: The neck of the Dean EVO XM is made of maple with a rosewood fingerboard, materials found in guitars with much higher pricetags. Maple is good for necks because it is hard and durable, but not so heavy as to make the guitar neck-heavy. The result is that it is fast and easy to play, especially since the neck joint has a patented angular design.

The sound is reported to be great whether clean or distorted. The pickups are pretty good, rich and gritty, especially the bridge pickup. You can make it scream, crunch, howl. . . you get the picture. It’s quite versatile for any style of rock. The guitar is lightweight and some find it well balanced for playing seated (but that depends on the lap! There certainly is no “one size fits all” guitar!) Also, the action is reported to be good and fast.

Disadvantages: The Dean EVO XM is very simple in design. It could not exactly be considered to be a “sexy” looking guitar, but because it is so basic and simple looking, it would fit in well in settings where a more radical design might be out of place. (On the other hand, you might like that “natural” look - a lot of people do.)

The knobs, jack, and tuners could give you a little trouble as they are not real well made. Because the tuners are not the best, a lot of guitar players find that it goes out of tune for them. You might find that you want to have the factory setting adjusted, which is not unusual with any guitar. Also, the Dean EVO XM has only one tone and one volume knob, so you are somewhat limited on features. Still, with a little creativity and skill, this guitar can make a lot of different sounds.

Specs:

  • Basswood body

  • Available in Transparent Black or Mahogany finish

  • Bolt on maple neck

  • Patented angular neck joint

  • Rosewood fingerboard

  • Dual Dean high output humbucker pickups

  • Sealed tuners

  • One volume control

  • One tone control

  • Tune-o-matic style adjustable bridge

  • Black hardware

  • Does not come with a case

Here’s an article about the company from a long-time guitar peddler who has a great appreciation for Dean guitars and how the company does business.

If you’re a beginner and feel like you are lost in the world of “humbuckers” and “pre-amps,” here’s a glossary of terms related to electric guitars.  You’re sure to find an explanation here.

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